I watched this right after Career Girls and ...
it is shocking how much better Vera Drake was. The acting was much more restrained and subtle and Leigh did much more imaginative things with the camera. I'm thinking specifically of that overhead shot where the cops emerge from the police car, four doors opening in near-synchronicity. Or when they take Vera away and you see a face in the ground-floor window, watching her in silent judgement. Also the contrast between rich and poor was nicely handled as well.
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